Abstract: A compressible spring includes a substantially solid body defining a central axis and manufactured from an elastomeric material. A substantially solid abutment upstands axially on one end of the substantially solid body. There is also a lip that is disposed on a distal end of the axial abutment in a plane being substantially transverse to the central axis. An axial bore may be provided extending through the thicknesses of the body and abutment. Furthermore, a plate shape member may be provided that is mechanically secured to the substantially solid body during the forming process, wherein the abutment is passed through a central aperture in the rigid member and wherein the lip cages a thickness portion of the rigid member around the central aperture.

Abstract: A device for indirectly sensing tension of a chain in a railroad handbrake includes an elongated bore formed through a holding pawl of the handbrake, sensor target attached to the holding pawl and a sensor mounted in close proximity to an upper end of the housing so as to sense the sensor target. The ratchet wheel of the handbrake positions the sensor target for operative sensing alignment with the sensor during at least partial handbrake application. A biasing member moves the sensor target away from the operative sensing alignment during handbrake release.

Abstract: A lubricating arrangement for an end guide of a railcar truck mounted brake rigging includes at least one elongated groove provided in the at least one surface of the end guide in open communication therewith, the elongated groove having a length thereof disposed generally transverse to a direction of the sliding reciprocal movement of the end guide. A lubricating member is secured within the at least one elongated groove, the lubricating member has a thickness portion thereof protruding, a predetermined height at initial installation, above the at least one surface of the end guide. The predetermined height of the protruding thickness portion is reduced during the reciprocal movement of the end guide within the channel or pocket so that material removed from the predetermined height during the reciprocal movement substantially resurfaces the at least one surface of the end guide.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly includes housing and an elastomeric spring stack disposed therewithin and including a plurality of compressible elastomeric springs disposed in series with each other. Each compressible elastomeric spring includes a compressible elastomeric pad, a rigid member positioned in direct contact with one end surface of the compressible elastomeric pad, a central aperture through a thickness of the rigid member, an abutment upstanding axially on the end surface of the compressible elastomeric pad, the abutment having a peripheral surface thereof sized to be received within the central aperture formed through the thickness of the rigid member, and an annular lip disposed on a distal end of the axial abutment in a plane being substantially transverse to the central axis, whereby an annular thickness portion of the rigid member is caged between the end surface of the compressible elastomeric pad and an inner surface of the annular lip.

Abstract: A device for indirectly sensing tension of a chain in a railroad handbrake includes an elongated bore formed through a holding pawl of the handbrake, sensor target attached to the holding pawl and a sensor mounted in close proximity to an upper end of the housing so as to sense the sensor target. The ratchet wheel of the handbrake positions the sensor target for operative sensing alignment with the sensor during at least partial handbrake application. A biasing member moves the sensor target away from the operative sensing alignment during handbrake release.

Abstract: A device for indirectly sensing tension of a chain in a railroad handbrake includes an elongated bore formed through a holding pawl of the handbrake, sensor target attached to the holding pawl and a sensor mounted in close proximity to an upper end of the housing so as to sense the sensor target. The ratchet wheel of the handbrake positions the sensor target for operative sensing alignment with the sensor during at least partial handbrake application. A biasing member moves the sensor target away from the operative sensing alignment during handbrake release.

Abstract: Chain tension sensing device includes a hollow enclosure, a sensor mounted in a stationary position within enclosure and a member mounted for a reciprocal movement in a substantially linear direction relative to the sensor. The member includes a chain engaging first portion, a second portion mounted for reciprocal movement and a sensor target disposed on a distal end of the second portion. A compressible resilient member is mounted in abutting engagement with at least a rear surface of the first portion. Chain take-up attains tension thereon generating force and moving the member towards the sensor so as to position the sensor target in operative sensing alignment therewith. Chain let-up causes the compressible resilient member to move the member in an opposite direction, removing the sensor target from the operative sensing alignment with the sensor. Sensor generates a control signal in response to sensing or not sensing the sensor target.

Abstract: A railway vehicle truck mounted brake rigging includes spaced apart first and second brake beams, a horizontally disposed first transfer lever having a pivotal connection with one brake beam and further having an upturned flange, a link seated horizontally on the shoulder, a horizontally disposed second transfer lever having a pivotal connection with another brake beam, a first force-transmitting member passing through the first opening of the bolster for pivotal connection with each of the link and the second transfer lever, the pivotal connection is offset in a vertical direction from a horizontal plane defined by the first transfer lever, and a second force-transmitting member passing through the second opening of the bolster for pivotal connection with opposed ends of the respective first and second transfer levers.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly includes housing and an elastomeric spring stack disposed therewithin and including a plurality of compressible elastomeric springs disposed in series with each other. Each compressible elastomeric spring includes a compressible elastomeric pad, a rigid member positioned in direct contact with one end surface of the compressible elastomeric pad, a central aperture through a thickness of the rigid member, an abutment upstanding axially on the end surface of the compressible elastomeric pad, the abutment having a peripheral surface thereof sized to be received within the central aperture formed through the thickness of the rigid member, and an annular lip disposed on a distal end of the axial abutment in a plane being substantially transverse to the central axis, whereby an annular thickness portion of the rigid member is caged between the end surface of the compressible elastomeric pad and an inner surface of the annular lip.

Abstract: A compressible spring includes a substantially solid body defining a central axis and manufactured from an elastomeric material. A substantially solid abutment upstands axially on one end of the substantially solid body. There is also a lip that is disposed on a distal end of the axial abutment in a plane being substantially transverse to the central axis. An axial bore may be provided extending through the thicknesses of the body and abutment. Furthermore, a plate shape member may be provided that is mechanically secured to the substantially solid body during the forming process, wherein the abutment is passed through a central aperture in the rigid member and wherein the lip cages a thickness portion of the rigid member around the central aperture.

Abstract: A lubricating arrangement for an end guide of a railcar truck mounted brake rigging includes at least one elongated groove provided in the at least one surface of the end guide in open communication therewith, the elongated groove having a length thereof disposed generally transverse to a direction of the sliding reciprocal movement of the end guide. A lubricating member is secured within the at least one elongated groove, the lubricating member has a thickness portion thereof protruding, a predetermined height at initial installation, above the at least one surface of the end guide. The predetermined height of the protruding thickness portion is reduced during the reciprocal movement of the end guide within the channel or pocket so that material removed from the predetermined height during the reciprocal movement substantially resurfaces the at least one surface of the end guide.

Abstract: Chain tension sensing device includes a hollow enclosure, a sensor mounted in a stationary position within enclosure and a member mounted for a reciprocal movement in a substantially linear direction relative to the sensor. The member includes a chain engaging first portion, a second portion mounted for reciprocal movement and a sensor target disposed on a distal end of the second portion. A compressible resilient member is mounted in abutting engagement with at least a rear surface of the first portion. Chain take-up attains tension thereon generating force and moving the member towards the sensor so as to position the sensor target in operative sensing alignment therewith. Chain let-up causes the compressible resilient member to move the member in an opposite direction, removing the sensor target from the operative sensing alignment with the sensor. Sensor generates a control signal in response to sensing or not sensing the sensor target.

Abstract: A device for indirectly sensing tension of a chain in a railroad handbrake includes an elongated bore formed through a holding pawl of the handbrake, sensor target attached to the holding pawl and a sensor mounted in close proximity to an upper end of the housing so as to sense the sensor target. The ratchet wheel of the handbrake positions the sensor target for operative sensing alignment with the sensor during at least partial handbrake application. A biasing member moves the sensor target away from the operative sensing alignment during handbrake release.

Abstract: A railway vehicle truck mounted brake rigging includes spaced apart first and second brake beams, a horizontally disposed first transfer lever having a pivotal connection with one brake beam and further having an upturned flange, a link seated horizontally on the shoulder, a horizontally disposed second transfer lever having a pivotal connection with another brake beam, a first force-transmitting member passing through the first opening of the bolster for pivotal connection with each of the link and the second transfer lever, the pivotal connection is offset in a vertical direction from a horizontal plane defined by the first transfer lever, and a second force-transmitting member passing through the second opening of the bolster for pivotal connection with opposed ends of the respective first and second transfer levers.